In a recent decision, the Alabama Supreme Court classified frozen embryos used in IVF as individuals, subjecting them to the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. This ruling has halted IVF services across the state and affected ongoing treatments for many patients. The coalition of 21 attorneys general, including Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, is advocating for the passage of the Access to Family Building Act in Congress.
The Act aims to ensure nationwide access to assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). ART has proven crucial for various individuals and couples, including cancer survivors, same-sex couples, and those experiencing infertility or choosing single parenthood. However, the high costs and lack of insurance coverage often bar access to these vital services.
Attorney General Brown’s support aligns with the coalition’s effort to expand ART access for all families. The coalition argues that decisions like this one endanger reproductive health services and interfere with families’ reproductive healthcare choices. They advocate for federal protections, such as the Access to Family Building Act, to safeguard ART services and patients’ rights.
The coalition’s letter to Congress urges lawmakers to act on this issue. Currently, nearly two percent of all U.S. births result from ART procedures. However, high costs and restrictive insurance policies hinder access for many people, particularly LGBTQ+ couples who face discriminatory policies under current laws related to infertility insurance coverage in some states.
On average, ART procedures like IVF cost around $20,000 per cycle with variations based on medical needs and cycle frequency.
The Access to Family Building Act seeks to address these disparities by guaranteeing patients’ rights to ART without unreasonable limitations.
It also encourages insurance coverage and affirms patients’ autonomy over reproductive genetic materials.
In conclusion, Attorney General Brown is part of a group of attorneys general advocating for increased accessibility of assisted reproductive technology (ART) through legislation such as the Access to Family Building Act in Congress. This legislation seeks to remove barriers that hinder accessibility of important services like IVF due to high costs and lack of insurance coverage among other reasons.